Amara hesitated, her eyes drawn to the distant, mist-shrouded outline of Scarlett Fall on the horizon. Shadows gathered beneath the looming arches and jagged cliffs, as if the city itself held its breath, waiting for their arrival. She could feel the weight of the Celestial Gates pressing upon her even from afar, a whisper of dread curling around her like smoke.
Kyan's voice broke the silence, low and steady. "Amara." He didn't look at her; his gaze was fixed forward, but there was an understanding in his tone, a gentleness she wasn't used to. "Once we enter Scarlett Fall, it will be too late to turn back. Are you prepared for that?"
A chill ran down her spine at his words. It was as if he knew the sacrifice that waited for her within those walls. But then again, this was Kyan, who could see past all her masks and shadows, who knew the truth she couldn't yet bring herself to speak.
"I am," she replied softly, though her grip tightened around the handle of her scythe. "But you and Kayden you don't have to come with me. This isn't your battle to fight."
Kayden, who had been silent, let out a bitter laugh. "You're right, it isn't." He turned to her, his eyes sharp with something like defiance, but also worry. "But it's a little too late for that, don't you think?"
She opened her mouth to argue, but Kyan placed a hand on her shoulder, grounding her with a light touch. "We've made our choice," he said simply. His golden eyes met hers, unwavering. "Scarlett Fall's fate is intertwined with yours now, Amara."
There was a certain finality in his words, a promise that felt heavier than any armor, more binding than any vow. Amara felt something stir within her—a mixture of relief and fear. She would not be facing the darkness alone, and yet… was it right to draw them into her own unending war?
They continued forward in silence, each step pulling them closer to Scarlett Fall's ancient gates. She could feel the pulse of the city beneath her feet, as if it were alive, breathing, waiting. As they crossed the final stretch, the city walls loomed before them, towering and unforgiving, the last barrier between them and what lay beyond.
"Once we pass these gates," Kyan said quietly, "we become part of something much larger."
Amara looked up at the darkened sky, as if the stars themselves were witnesses to what was to come. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Then let it come." Her voice barely rose above a whisper, but in the quiet, it felt like a vow.
With one last glance at Kyan and Kayden, she stepped forward. The gates creaked open, swallowing them in shadow as they passed through, leaving the world beyond to fade into memory.
As the gates opened a smoke screen hit Amara, confused, she quickly put her arms in front of her face to avoid getting hit by anything. As she slowly put her arms down she was surprised at the state of the city, there was no one to be found. She felt like she was being toyed with.
Laughter could be heard from behind her. "Who would've thought you would be this upset?" Kyan and Kayden were amused at her sad expression on her face. "You haven't seen Scarlett yet." This only confused Amara.
"Isn't the city called Scarlett Fall?" She questioned them. "No, this piece of land is called Fall. The entire ground of my land is called Scarlett Fall, they're separate pieces." Kyan explained. "It is made this way to confuse invaders, only the members of Vaxthrons and VIPS of Scarlett are able to get in." He said while grinning. Without realizing it, the scenery around them changes.
Wood and stones slowly started to morph into statues and houses, the eerie night sky started to have its own color scheme. Everything that was gray and dark a couple seconds ago started to have light, even creatures started appearing right in front of them.
Perhaps because it is Amara's first time entering the city of Fall, but the scenery inside the walls were too captivating for her. The city felt busy and overwhelming but it brought a warm feeling to her.
It took a while before anyone noticed them standing in the middle of a market, every type of creature started to sneak a peek at them. Amara noticed the nervousness between the locals, was it because she was there or something else? Before she could even finish the thought on her own a strange looking carriage approached them.
Horses who were only alive with bone carried the carriage on their backs, it looked like something straight out a book. She couldn't help but gasp at the scene, she was interested at how that was even possible.
Kyan leaned in her ear. "That's our ride to Scarlett, I am sure you'll be impressed by everything." He whispered with a smug on his face. "I most definitely will be Husani." She smiled at him.
As they got ready to step in the carriage Amara decided to take one last look at the city she was in before heading towards the next one. However she couldn't help but feel a bit nostalgic while looking around, it felt like she was walking around the Sicilian Capital again.